06.25.250N  99.52.016E  Sunday 30^th November  On the west coast of Malaysia, near the Thai border Pulau Langkawi is an archipelago of  around 100 islands and islets – many of which are uninhabited limestone outcrops - rising precipitously from the sea, towering high, forming a maze of rocks and caves supporting prolific birdlife, including sea eagles and vegetation.  We anchored the first night in the bay of Telak Dayang Bunting – meaning fresh water lake anchorage. There we found a jetty and steps leading up through the undergrowth to the ‘Maiden’s Lake’ – a large inland freshwater lake where myth has it that fertility will be restored to those swimming in her waters.  It was wonderful to swim at last without the fear of box jelly fish, sharks, crocs and other nasties!  There was also an enclosed pool teeming with fish which nibble away the dead cells of your skin – we all had a go – a very ticklish affair……..

You can see the ‘maiden’s lake’ on the west coast

and we were tucked into the bay beside it

Malaysians come in their droves to have their feet nibbled

The fish resembled cat fish with long whiskers…..

Man made wooden jetty jutting out into the lake

Surrounded by uninhabited jungle

But important to keep a watchful eye!

Thanksgiving celebrations were postponed a day and on Friday night we enjoyed learning the history and meaning of this quintessential American occasion, sharing a serendipitous gourmet meal on Heidenskip with Teri and Lee – all bringing a dish each to share and entering into the spirit of the occasion by individually explaining what we were thankful for in life. Robert and Lee played guitar and mouth organ, singing along with Oscar and as we listened to song after song from the Hakuna Mattata ‘library’, kindly donated before leaving the Rally, they were firmly in our thoughts, as were all friends and family who we missed…..a very emotional evening!

The other ‘must do’ is a trip up the Kisat River on the east side of Lankawi Island (the largest in the archipelago) through the ‘hole in the wall’.  We anchored in the river and explored the tributaries by dinghy.  Many yachts had been left at anchor here for a very long time (I imagine the cost is nil or negligible) and the result was a forlorn sight of forgotten dreams rotting away.  There is however a shack restaurant on the bank with a wonderful reputation and it certainly lived up to it last night.  Platters laden with seafood – lobsters, prawns and fish, soups and rice all at incredibly reasonable prices.

Entering the Kisat River

And looking back at the narrow entrance!

Today we have set off on our own to Telaga Harbour, Lankawi’s newest and smallest marina – here we can fill up with diesel, hopefully find a few spares like impellers and fuses, clear out of Malaysia and head off to Thailand……..